[Today's Prayer] Thailand-Cambodia: Second Day of Shelling and Fighting… 16 Dead in Total**

Thailand and Cambodia, which are in a border dispute, continued fighting in multiple locations for the second day on the 25th (local time), with the death toll from both countries rising to 16.

According to the Thai military, fighting resumed around 4 a.m. that day, with clashes occurring in 12 areas including Thailand’s eastern provinces of Udon Ratchathani and Sisaket—up from 6 locations the previous day. The Cambodian military launched attacks using heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, while the Thai military responded with what it described as “appropriate return fire.”

Thailand's Acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, stated that Cambodia launched attacks across multiple fronts and that Thailand is defending its territory.

(Omitted)

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, 15 people—including 14 civilians and one soldier—have died since the fighting began, and 45 others, including 15 soldiers and 30 civilians, have been injured.

(Omitted)

Thai authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents living within 50 kilometers of the border, leading to the evacuation of over 130,000 people across four provinces to hundreds of temporary shelters.

The Thai military warned that five areas within Udon Ratchathani and Sisaket provinces—up to 40 km from the border—are within range of Cambodian rocket attacks and therefore are considered high-risk zones.

In Cambodia, about 4,000 border residents have also taken refuge in shelters. In the village of Samraong in Oddar Meanchey province, roughly 20 km from the border, some residents fled early in the morning after hearing shellfire.

(Omitted)

The Thai military accused the Cambodian military of attacking civilian areas in Thailand, including schools and hospitals, with artillery and multiple rocket launchers.

“The intentional targeting of civilians is a war crime,” said the Thai military authorities. “Those responsible must be held accountable under the law.” In contrast, the Cambodian government rejected Thailand’s claims as baseless and countered that the Thai military used large quantities of cluster bombs, thus violating international law.

As armed conflict between the two countries escalates, the international community has begun mediation efforts.

Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and this year's chair of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), which includes both Thailand and Cambodia, said he had spoken with the leaders of both countries and urged an immediate ceasefire.

Tommy Piggott, U.S. Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, also said, “We urge an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting at 3 p.m. (Eastern U.S. time) on the 25th to discuss the conflict between the two countries. The meeting was requested by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

However, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikondej Balankura told Reuters that “We maintain the position that bilateral negotiations are the best solution,” rejecting third-party mediation efforts.

Source: Yonhap News

“And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13:11)

As Thailand and Cambodia engage in armed clashes for a second day, we hear that the death toll has risen to 16, and about 130,000 Thai civilians and 4,000 Cambodian residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters to avoid the conflict.

Lord, we pray that the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia—intensified by historical tensions and the UNESCO heritage site issue—would come to an end.